Three way valve for flow regulator connected to moisture analyzer

ABSTRACT

A three way valve having ports No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 is connected to a flow regulator for a moisture analyzer. Port No. 1 is the inlet port for gas. Port No. 2 is connected to the inlet of the flow regulator. Port No. 3 is connected to the outlet of the flow regulator before a needle valve which connects to the moisture analyzer. The three way valve has two positions. In one position it is connected from port No. 1 to port No. 2 and port No. 3 is closed. In the other position it is connected from port No. 1 to port No. 3 and port No. 2 is closed.

United States Patent i1 1 Bergson l 11 3,795,260 1451' 'Mar. 5, 1974[76] Inventor: Gustav Bergson, Cedarbrook Hill Apts. B-117, Wyncote, Pa.19095 [22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1972 [21] Appl. No; 297,133

[52] US. Cl. 137/599, 137/501 [51] Int. Cl. G05d 16/06 [58] Field ofSearch 137/110, 501, 599, 625.32

6/1916 Syakas 137/599 X 7/1926 Rush;.....' ..137/599X PrimaryExaminer-Robert G. Nilson Attorney, Agent, or Firm' lackson, Jackson &Chovanes [57] ABSTRACT A three way valve having ports No. 1, No. 2 andNo. 3 is connected to a flow regulator for a moisture analyzer. Port No.1 is the inlet port for gas. Port No. 2 is connected to the inlet of theflow regulator. Port No. 3 is connected to the outlet of the flowregulator before a needle valve which connects to the moisture analyzer.The three way valve has two positions. In one position it is connectedfrom port No. 1 to port No. 2 and port No. 3 is closed. In the otherposition it is connected from port No. l to port No. 3 and port No. 2 isclosed.

.1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures FLOW REGULATOR THREE WAY VALVE FoR FLOWREGULATOR CONNECTED To MOISTURE ANALYZER The invention presents a simpleand economical means for including the benefits of flow regulation in anelectrolytic moisture analyzer, when recording, with their eliminationduring batch measurement at which time it is desirable to eliminate thetransient effects introduced by the flow regulator for maximum speed ofmeasurement. Since, during batch measurements an operator is alwayspresent to set the flow there is no loss by eliminating the flowregulator.

The measurement of trace moisture in the parts per million range usingan electrolytic moisture analyzer invented by Dr. Fred Keidel US. Pat.No. 2,830,945, has become fairly widespreadffhe instrument is capable ofmeasurements of the batch type, that is repeated measurements ofdifferent samples, and it is capable of continuous measurement of apassing sample with recording. It is fairly common to find it being usedfor both purposes, occasionally for spotchecks and otherwise forcontinuous-recording at a fixed location. I

Since stable performance of the electrolytic moisture analyzer requiresa constant flow of sample gas through the electrolytic cell, it isnecessary'to maintain flow regulation when measurements are continuouslyrecorded.

On the other hand, in batch measurement, particularly, for-example, whencylinders of gas are being tested, speed of measurement is veryimportant and since, under these circumstances, an operator is. alwaysat hand, it is no problem to adjustthe flow manually to the prescribedvalue during the measurement. However, the presence of the flowregulator required as it is for recording, now becomes a distincthandicap because of transient effects which are introduced by it,thereby slowing the measurement. It is a purpose of this invention toestablish a simple and economic means for obtaining normal flowregulation in the instrument when recording while permitting eliminationof the flow regulator during batch measurements.

Toward explaining the present invention, use is made of FIGS. 1 towherein 1 is the body input of flow regulator 2, 2 is the body output, 3the bonnet connection, the bonnet, 6 a fixed spring, 9 the bonnet gasspace, S the diaphragm, 7 the diaphragm contact to nozzle stem 8, 12 thenozzle valve, 4 the gas control cavity, 11 the passageway from 11 to 2,all in FIG. 1, while in FIG. 2, the three way valve 16 is shownschematically with inlet port 13 and first and second outlet ports 14and 15 and with control handle 17, FIGS. 3 shows a schematicrepresentation of gaseous flow paths for the positions of handle 17 ofFIG. 2, this being from 13 along ducts 17' and 18 to 14 while FIG. 4shows the flow path which would correspond to turning handle 17 by thisbeing from 13 along ducts 19 and 18 to 15.

in FIG. 5 gas enters the three way valve 16 at 13 and with handle 17 asshown it passes out 14 and via line 22 to the input 1 to flow regulator28 whose body out put 2 is connected via line 24 to the flow controlmeans (needle valve) 20 having a downstream connection at 30 to bonnetoutlet 3 via line 25, and via line 26 to flowmeter 21 which vents at 27.When the handle 17 is turned through 180 the input gas connection to thebody input of flow regulator 28 is disconnected and in coming gasconnection is made from 13 to 15 of valve 16 then via line 23 to 31making connection with line 24 to the upstream'conne'ction of "flowcontrol means 20. Valve'20 is now used as a direct flow control for thegas stream with elimination offlow regulator 28'from the path of flow.

What is claimed is: I

1. A gas flow system including a flow regulator having an inlet andan'outlet, flow'control means-connected downstream thereof, and athree-way valving system,-said flow regulator being connected to saidsystem as to be responsive to pressure upstream and downstream of theflow control means, said valving system having first, second, and thirdports, the first port being connected to an incoming gas stream, thesecond port being connected to the inlet, of said flow regulator, andthe third port being connected to a conduit interconnecting the outletof said flow regulator and the flow control means, whereby switchingsaid three way valveing system in one direction allows passage of gasfrom its first to its second port with no passage of gas to its thirdport and switching of said three way valving system in the otherdirection allows passage of gas from itsfirst to its third port with nopassage of gas to its sec-

1. A gas flow system including a flow regulator having an inlet and anoutlet, flow control means connected downstream thereof, and a three-wayvalving system, said flow regulator being connected to said system as tobe responsive to pressure upstream and downstream of the flow controlmeans, said valving system having first, second, and third ports, thefirst port being connected to an incoming gas stream, the second portbeing connected to the inlet of said flow regulator, and the third portbeing connected to a conduit interconnecting the outlet of said flowregulator and the flow control means, whereby switching said three wayvalveing system in one direction allows passage of gas from its first toits second port with no passage of gas to its third port and switchingof said three way valving system in the other direction allows passageof gas from its first to its third port with no passage of gas to itssecond port.